The Bearcats clubbed three homers to account for six runs in an 8-1 victory over the Kentville Wildcats on a chilly night at the TAAC Grounds.

“In the past we lived by the long ball and tonight was the same thing – it was back to the early Bearcats,” said co-coach Scott Baillie. “I think we had six hits in one inning, and I don’t know if we had that in the last two or three years in one inning, so it was just a great start.”

The Bearcats pounded out 14 hits in the contest and delivered the big blow with a four-run sixth inning, highlighted by a Jeff Chisholm three-run homer.

Guy Pellerine added a two-run blast and DH Daniel Bates drilled a solo shot in front of a small crowd at the old Truro ballpark.

Josh Fushtey, who established a new league record for innings pitched last season, scattered nine hits and struck out four in a complete-game victory.

“A very economical start for sure,” Baillie said of the young right-hander. “We did a pitch count on him and he was at 91 pitches at the end of the ball game.”

Corey Kent was the losing pitcher.

The Bearcats entered the new season after a disappointing 2013 campaign in which they finished with a record of 9-23 and failed to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year.

And while one game doesn’t make a season, Baillie said it’s nice to start on a winning note.

“It sounds cliché, but it is one game at a time, and Kentville is a team that we feel we have to battle this year for a playoff spot, and that’s ultimately our goal, is to make the playoffs.”